The San Francisco Examiner photographic print files consist of the news photographs collected by the San Francisco Examiner
library. Many are prints from negatives shot by staff photographers, while others originated with wire services or as submissions
from individuals or agencies. The photographs encompass the full spectrum of local, national, and international events, including
state, local, and national government, politics, military conflicts, society, sports, fashion, the arts, crime, accidents,
transportation, urban and suburban development, and human interest stories. While some submitted photographs date to the 19th
century, the vast majority are 20th century.

Background

The San Francisco Examiner was acquired by George Hearst in 1880 and given to his son, William Randolph Hearst, in 1887. It
was the founding cornerstone of the Hearst media empire, and remained part of the Hearst Corporation’s holdings until it was
sold, in 2000, to the Fang family of San Francisco. In 2004 the Examiner was sold again, to Philip Anschutz’s Clarity Media
Group.